Global Operating Experience


The UAE Peaceful Nuclear Energy Program is based on the cumulative experience of the global nuclear energy industry. The teams at ENEC and Nawah work with international organizations and benefit from their expertise and operating experience.

To ensure the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant and its workforce benefit from that global operating experience, ENEC signed the Operational Support Services Agreement (OSSA) with Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power (KHNP) in 2016. KHNP is South Korea’s nuclear operating company.

Under the agreement, highly experienced reactor operators from South Korea will work alongside Nawah staff at the plant for the first 10 years of operation of each of the four reactors. An estimated 400 KHNP experts will support operations at the plant every year until 2030. In line with the regulations of the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation, KHNP experts will be required to pass regulatory exams to be licensed to operate and manage the APR1400 technology in the UAE.

ENEC and Nawah also benefit from the experience and expertise of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO). Senior nuclear experts from the IAEA and WANO conduct voluntary, independent assessments of the plant’s robustness and the proficiency of the personnel who operate the Barakah plant.